BAR
ASSO
Mr. Gefan
R&R to
HONG KONG BAR ASSOCIATION
CHURMAN:
GERALD DE BASTO
SECRETARY:
HENRY LITTON
RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No. 63
- 3 OCT1968
1: WA14/61
The Right Honourable the Lord Shepherd, Commonwealth Relations Office,
Whitehall,
London, S.W.1,
ENGLAND.
Mr Stewart.
SECRETARY'S CHAMBERS
218 MARINA HOUSE
HONG KONG
TELEPHONE: H-230425
26TH September, 1968
2.60. be
Dear Lord Shepherd,
1. May I take this opportunity of thanking you for seeing me in London and discussing with me the various problems which I raised in my letter dated 8th July, 1968.
2(a) The first matter we discussed was the question of appointments of practising barristers to the bench of the superior courts of Hong Kong and I think I am right in saying that we achieved a measure of agreement on this aspect.
(b) We discussed how members of the practising Bar might be considered for appointment to the bench of the superior courts. If I remember rightly you first tentatively suggested that the Governor should ascertain from members of the practising Bar those who would be prepared to accept appointments to the bench of the superior courts but eventually we all seemed to agree with Sir James McPetrie that only when the question of filling a vacancy arose should the Governor consider whether there were any suitable members of the practising Bar for appointment, and then to ascertain from such person or persons whether they would be prepared to be considered for such appointment.
(c) As I understand it, in future, when the question of filling a vacancy on the bench of the superior courts arises, His Excellency the Governor will ascertain whether there are any member or members of the practising Bar who are suitable candidates and, if so, will ascertain from them, confidentially, whether they would be willing to be considered for appointment.
LAST RIF
MINISTER OF STATE
Ack
fi F
BAR COMMITTEE
GERALD DE BASTO
• JOHN J. SWAINE
WILLIAM CHAN · ROBERT WEI
Recd.
30/90
To
RICHARD MILLS-OWENS